Stephanie Arricau kept the KLM Ladies Open title in French hands today at Eindhovensche Golf Club in the Netherlands .
The 32-year-old from Toulouse carded a final round of two-under-par 70 to claim her third Ladies European Tour title by a stroke on a total of twelve-under-par 204.
Arricau, who started the day two shots clear of the pack, finished a shot ahead of Germany 's Anja Monke, who had a 69 to finish on eleven-under par while Australian rookie Leah Hart finished a shot further back on a total of ten-under-par for outright third.
Arricau became the sixth French winner of the title and the second consecutive French winner after Virginie Lagoutte won at Kennemer G&CC in 2005.
Karine Icher, Valerie Michaud and Marie Laure de Lorenzi had all won previously, with de Lorenzi, The 2007 European Solheim Cup Vice Captain, having won twice in 1988 and 1995.
With Arricau, Monke and Nocera tied for the lead after 14 holes Arricau fired two birdies in the last three holes for an exciting finish.
“Each win is difficult, but this one was the hardest,” said Arricau, who like Monke, was wearing orange in a tribute to the Dutch spectators. “There were a lot of players chasing me today and I missed quite a lot of birdie chances on the front nine.
“I was very tired and it was a very tough finish so I'm very happy. Now I think my confidence is back for the rest of the year.”
In 2005 Arricau endured a miserable season on the US LPGA Tour but her form peaked this week after two solid finishes in Switzerland and France where she finished tied for 18 th and third respectively.
“I feel better in Europe . I did not like the States. It's a different culture and life was tough,” she admitted.
“My boyfriend quit his job to caddy for me but while we were there all we would talk about was golf. Everything was golf and I was going mad. I missed my friends and everything.
“This week, I had a local caddy called Dave but he was also a professional golfer so he was a great help. He knew the course and how to play. I told him that I didn't want to talk about golf between shots so we talked about anything else other than golf. I did my best and it worked.”
With her win, Arricau earns a place in the prestigious Evian Masters tournament for the next two years and she also jumps six places from 11 th to sixth in the New Star Money List.
She is now third in The 2007 Solheim Cup standings with the top five places to qualify automatically.
Monke, who was playing in the penultimate match today, was dissapointed after missing a birdie putt from five feet at the 18 th hole to give Arricau a one shot lead coming down the last today. With a one stroke lead, the French woman safely two-putted for par to claim the title.
“Of course I'm happy but when I think about that last putt on 18 it makes me a little sad,” said Monke, who was looking for her first victory.
“I had a really good chance and I made a good putt but it didn't go in so that's life. I've had some lucky putts and some unlucky ones. I had some funny shots so I think I kept the spectators happy. We need to come back next year and try and beat those French players in Holland !”
Hart, who was looking for her first win and who was playing in the last group with Arricau, said: “I had a great day. I was hoping to sink that birdie putt on the last though to come second. It was great fun and it was great to see so many people come out and support us. That's what I play golf for.”
The Ladies European Tour schedule resumes with the BMW Ladies Italian Open in Rome in a fortnight's time.
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